Lathrop squad gets new commander

LATHROP - The Civil Air Patrol's Sierra Composite Squadron 72 at Lathrop's Sharpe Depot has named a new commander to lead the squadron.

Comment

By The Record

recordnet.com

By The Record

Posted Jul. 21, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By The Record
Posted Jul. 21, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

LATHROP - The Civil Air Patrol's Sierra Composite Squadron 72 at Lathrop's Sharpe Depot has named a new commander to lead the squadron.

Lt. Col. Dennis Parham, who has more than 40 years' experience in the air patrol, was selected to succeed Capt. Eric England, who took a new job in Washington.

Parham comes to Lathrop after serving as commander of Squadron 95 in Oroville.

Parham has commanded several squadrons in Northern California. "I look forward to a close relationship to the Stockton community by being involved in the local events and offering support to the community in times of need," Parham said.

As the official auxiliary of the Air Force, the civil patrol carries out 90 percent of the continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions. Its members save an average of 80 lives every year, the group says.

Their missions also include homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions requested by federal, state and local agencies.

Outreach to the community is another component of the nonprofit organization. Members participate in aerospace education, and they mentor more than 26,000 youths in cadet programs.

The auxiliary group, which has been carrying out missions for the U.S. for 71 years now, was honored with the World Peace Prize in 2011.

Civil Air Patrol has about 51,000 members nationwide and has a fleet of 550 aircraft.

The Lathrop squadron was chartered in 1948. Members meet Tuesdays at the Lathrop depot.